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Course Delivery

Assessment

The research, devising and rehearsal process: development and progress throughout the period of writing, devising and rehearsal preparation

50%

Semester Assessment

The active manifestation and development of rehearsal work in public performance

30%

Semester Assessment

Assessed oral examination and notebook. The notebook is not formally assessed but may be referred to during the oral examination.

20%

Supplementary Assessment

As with most of the level 3 modules of this kind offered in the Department, it is not possible for the students to completely re-sit any components missed. However, in accordance with established Departmental practice, if a student is unable to complete their participation in the production and the workshops for accepted medical reasons, then an essay requiring reflection upon those components of work which were not completed may be set in lieu of those components. The scale of this essay will be determined by the Director of Teaching according to the percentage of incomplete work (to a maximum of 6000 words). In the case of any problems, then the Director of Teaching will consult with the Dean

100%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Have the ability to work co-operatively within a group under the guidance of a director/facilitator to research, devise and create a piece of theatre for a targeted audience;
2. Produce a series of written notes/fragments relevant to the project under workshop conditions
3. Apply, develop and enhance the key skills introduced in the appropriate Departmental Level 2 practical Drama modules;
4. Apply and sustain the skills required for the execution of specific roles during successive live performances;
5. Reflect critically on their contribution to both the preparatory, rehearsal and performance processes and record these reflections through oral examination and in written notebook form.

Brief description

Students opting for this module will have already encountered various principles behind the devising process in the introductory Level 2 modules which are essential pre-requisite/s for this module.

In this module students will work in small groups on a devising a piece of theatre for a targeted group. This may be a theatre-in-education project for primary or secondary school children; a community theatre project created for a specific audience prisons, young offenders, the elderly, the unemployed etc; or a specially devised theatre text based upon a specific theme, image or concept. Central to the success of this module is the ability for students to work as members of a team under the guidance of staff or guest director/facilitator or leader. During rehearsals and workshops, the project leader will facilitate the development of a concept, strategy and methodology of work appropriate to devising theatre texts for performance. They will also be responsible for setting research projects and establishing clear aims and guidelines to ensure that there an realistic framework for the successful creation of the agreed theatre piece.

Aims

This module intends to give students the opportunity to devise a piece of theatre for a specific targeted audience. It differs from the proposed new modules Production in Practice: Interpreting Theatre Texts 1 and 2 insofar as students will work in groups under the guidance of a director/director/facilitator to devise and create the material for presentation to specific theatre audiences. The prime emphasis will be n the creation and writing of a piece of theatre text. The director/facilitator, who will be an experienced staff or guest practitioner, will be responsible for enabling the group to work to a series of specific targets during the seven-week rehearsal and performance period and lead rehearsals and workshops designed to equip students with the expertise, skills and strategies appropriate to the devising process.

Hitherto, devised work has been incorporated within the Level 3 Acting modules. Students have requested that the Department has separate and distinct Level 3 modules for devised theatre as the learning outcomes and methods of assessment for text-based project modules do not properly reflect the devising process. This view is endorsed by both Departmental staff and External Examiners.

Content

Students will be allocated as either actors, designers, members of the stage management or production team and/or assistants to the staff director, assistant to the theatre-in-education director/facilitator or a combination of the above and work intensively for six weeks on an approved Departmental project. These allocations will be chosen and agreed through a formal interview with the Practical Semester Co-ordinator and Senior Production Manager.

The project will be led by an experienced practitioner who will construct an appropriate rehearsal methodology specifically designed for the project. During rehearsals students will encounter and experience appropriate theatre games, improvisations, exercises and workshops, which will be specifically designed to aid the devising process.

These projects will be performed either in an appropriate site-specific location or Departmental theatre space. There will be a total of five public performances.

During the rehearsal process, students will be expected to create and devise fragments of theatre text in small groups and on an individual basis. Students will be expected to keep a working notebook documenting significant developments and challenges they have encountered which will be assessed. At the end of the project, students will participate in an oral examination during which they will analyse and appraise their experiences of the module.

Module Skills

Skills Type

Skills details

Application of Number

This may be relevant for students engaged in budget monitoring for projects

Communication

The development of communication skills is intrinsic to all aspects of performance. The ability to interact effectively with members the company and other people encountered during the preparation process.

Improving own Learning and Performance

Progress throughout the rehearsal process and the ability to reflect critically on individual achievement attained.

Information Technology

Students may choose to make use of on-line materials to locate data and documentation relevant to their research, but this skill will not be separately assessed.

Personal Development and Career planning

Personal development and career planning will not be explicitly developed through this module. However, many of the generic skills developed through the practical work of this module will have significant transferability to a wide range of contexts.

Problem solving

These skills are developed as the students respond to the different challenges that emerge during the rehearsal and performance process for the project.

Research skills

These skills are developed through preparation for rehearsals and the workshops, although these skills are not directly assessed.

Subject Specific Skills

The module will enhance and develop the student¿s understanding of the potential of theatre as a means of communicating with specific audiences.

Team work

The development of team working skills is intrinsic to all group performance situations. Team leadership skills also form an important part in the assessment.